No Fault Litigation Attorney

About the role

The New York City Comptroller's Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller's office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

Authorized by the New York City Charter, the Comptroller, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlement of claims and lawsuits involving the City of New York. BLA investigates and, when in the best interest of the city, settles pre-litigation claims for and against the City of New York.

In resolving claims before litigation is commenced, BLA protects the fiscal interest of the City while ensuring that pre-litigation claims are resolved in a fair and just manner, and in accordance with applicable laws. BLA furthers this goal in its review, evaluation, and authorization of requests to settle litigated cases involving the City and through diligent administration of disputes arising out of City contracts.

BLA manages City risk by holding agencies accountable, rooting out fraud, and identifying trends, as well as, coordinating with the Law Department and other City agencies on issues that impact the public fiscal and public safety.

Under supervision of the Division Chief, No Fault Claims, with some latitude for independent judgment and unreviewed action and decision, performs legal work as the principal liaison attorney to the New York City Law Department on all First-Party and Third-Party litigation matters.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Serve as the principal litigation liaison attorney to the New York City Law Department on all First-Party and Third-Party litigation No-Fault matters;
• Provide legal direction to the New York City Law Department on First-Party and Third-Party No-Fault litigation matters;
• Serve as principal liaison attorney to the New York City Law Department, Office of NYC Comptroller Fiscal Services, and Marshal's Office on all First-Party and Third Party No-Fault claims resulting in judgments and levies, including advising on the legally appropriate path to a legal and just disposition;
• When appropriate, negotiate and settle First-Party, Third Party, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist claims within delegated monetary authority level, prioritizing No-Fault litigation claims;
• Manage Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM claims from initial review through resolution, ensuring compliance with regulation 68;
• Prepare UM cases for arbitration by analyzing supporting documentation, gathering evidence, and developing settlement and hearing strategies;
• Respond to New York State Department of Financial Services correspondence;
• Represent the City of New York in First-Party, Third-Party, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist arbitration proceedings;
• Maintain accurate and complete claim files, prepare claim abstracts detailing the relevant information about the investigation and evaluation of liability and damages, document any events or conversations in claim notes, and upload documents upon receipt;
• Maintain control over claim backlog, timely follow-up on requests made to agencies;
• Investigate, identify, and report fraudulent claims, utilize statistical data to identify claims that pose potential risks, and provide risk management recommendations to the Division Chief;
• Use available databases, media outlets, and other available sources to gather information relevant to the investigation of the claim;
• Communicate effectively and professionally with other Comptroller staff, City agency employees, pro se claimants, and attorneys when investigating a claim or negotiating a settlement; and
• Performs related assignments and special projects as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements

To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.